About ESL Learning Center

Hi! My name is Beth Bearden and I will be your teacher at ESL Learning Center. I tried for many years to master a second language before realizing that my biggest obstacle to becoming fluent in the language was a lack of time and opportunity to practice speaking the language. My language classes did not offer much conversation practice, I felt intimidated talking to strangers, and did not have friends who spoke the language. Though I studied hard I was frustrated by my lack of conversational ability.

Perhaps you feel the same way about learning English. You've studied on your own, perhaps even taken a few English classes, but your ability to speak English doesn't seem to get any better. It's hard to make friends with Americans because you don't speak their language, but you are having trouble learning the language because you don't have contact with Americans!

At ESL Learning Center you will be encouraged to speak English in a friendly, non-threatening environment. You will meet other women just like you who need to be able to speak with their child's teacher, communicate with their doctor, ask a salesperson for a specific item, read and understand an American newspaper, apply for a job, talk with their neighbors, etc.

In our classes you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with guest speakers who will demonstrate, teach, entertain and converse with you about things you are interested in. Along with your classmates you will visit the bank, library, post office, grocery store, and mall so that you will feel more comfortable in these settings and situations. A walking tour of downtown Charlotte will provide you with interesting cultural information. Cooking together with your classmates is a fun way to share our different cultural foods and customs. Through all of these activities (as well as reading and writing and researching) you will be learning and conversing in English!